Publishing Babyblogs

In It's almost as good as being there, Kathy Boccella tells a nice story of family telepresence. Grandmother lives in Philadelphia. Daughter and grandchildren live in New Mexico. And grandmother shares their everyday life events through her daughter's blog's stories and images.

If you want to know what Lazarus, 2, got on his birthday or how Maggie, 7 months, reacted to her first haircut, it's all documented, along with lots of heartfelt outpourings from Mom

Telling about her experience, Grandmother says

it has made a huge difference for me. I don't want to just call up all the time, so I'll look in on the blog and see what's happening. I feel like I'm participating in their lives

And from Mother's viewpoint, the blog is also a vehicle of self-expression and community participation

I was late to the game, 36, when I had my first child. It really changes your perspective a lot. I knew it would, but I didn't know how much it would. This is sort of a personal outlet

Keeping a personal diary and creating family presence aren't the only motivations for publishing a baby blog. Daddyzine is more of a writing exploration babyblog: a father who cares for a 2-and-a-half daughter writes about his emotions and feelings. Trixieupdate is a extreme form of a baby book where a father logs bottle counts, diaper changes and hours slept by his 15 months daughter.

I wonder, if blogs had been available in the 1930s, would child psychologists Jean Piaget have blogged on his children development?